Behold! He Comes!

As mankind edges ever closer to the dawning of a new millennia, do we consider the possibility that the end of life as we now know it may be at hand? The world is spiritually, socially and economically bankrupt, spiraling ever faster toward the brink of disaster. The cup of our iniquity is full. We have strayed far from our Creator and have become as the scripture states “desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), unaware and unconcerned that we must someday reap the whirlwind of our defiance to the laws of Almighty God. The ravages of sin.....hatred, apathy, disease, violence, crime, famine, natural disasters, wars, immorality.....have left us battle worn and weary. Each of us longs for peace, for happiness, for some change, some answer to this life of despair. Is there an answer? Is there hope? Is there a Savior that will come to our rescue?

Deep in the heart of all those who believe in Jesus Christ, beats the hope of His soon return to end this devastating reign of sin. The cause of all the unhappiness that plagues the abundant life that God longs to give His children. Every generation has hoped that Christ would come in their lifetime. Such is the hope of this generation. We long to see the heavens rolled back and Christ coming in the clouds of glory as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. The trials and tribulations of this earth forever gone and peace and harmony finally ours throughout all eternity (Revelation 21:4). Sin eradicated, Satan defeated, salvation assured.....what a glorious day!

Many Christians, however, have lost hope in Christ’s promise to return. Their faith has grown cold, dim and almost lost, much to Satan's delight. But God has not left us without hope. John 14:1-3 should comfort the weary in heart: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am you may be also. What a promise! Can we look heavenward, look beyond the doom and gloom of this earthly prison and see a glorious home that awaits those who place their trust in a mighty Savior?

As we look for the soon coming of Jesus Christ, what signs do we look for that He is near? What preparation must we make to be ready for this long awaited event, and where can we find the answers to these questions? God in His infinite wisdom has given us a guide that explains His plans for us throughout our sojourn in this earthly wilderness. The Bible will lead us into all truth regarding this momentous event. It is only with much prayer, study and the guidance of The Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26) that we will be able to discern the truths so vital to this climactic event in earth’s history. But be prepared, for Satan will present many false doctrines to draw us away from the truth regarding Christ’s return, and many false prophets will appear speaking lies and teaching errors. Only as we know the truth can we discern right from wrong and be fully prepared to stand steadfast against the snares and deception of the evil one. And who could better explain the truth than He who is the giver of all knowledge? As we pray for wisdom, God will open to our searching hearts what we need to battle the enemy and emerge victorious in that great spiritual battle that will precede the return of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 tells us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Satan has no defense against those who place their complete trust in the power of God. He knows this and trembles. Herein lies our power to defeat this mighty foe (Isaiah 54:17)

The Scriptures give us many details concerning end time events and the second coming. If we are to understand these events and avoid Satan's deceptions, we would do well to gain the advantage over the plans of the great deceiver and know the scriptures. The time grows short! Dare we hesitate a moment to strengthen our forces against the powers of darkness. Now is the time! Now more than ever before is our salvation near, even at the door. It is time to awake from our slumber and read the signs of the times and put on the whole armor of God and prepare to meet the forces of darkness head on.

Matthew 24 tells us that there will be a terrible time of tribulation such as we have never experienced before, but this is only the beginning of sorrows, a sign of Christ’s nearness. The end is not yet! These words seem appropriate to us today as we are indeed suffering much distress and much anxiety. Could a loving God be tapping us on the shoulder, giving us a warning to heed what is to come? Can we discern the roaring of the lion, as Satan himself prepares for this awesome battle? Only those who have fortified themselves with the truth and faith in Jesus Christ can stand through this ominous time and escape undefeated the mighty forces of the prince of darkness. Luke 21 tells us that men’s hearts will be failing them for fear of what is taking place. He warns that we should watch and pray, for the enemy seeks at every turn, at every opportunity to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Who can stand in such a time as this? The faithful, the obedient, those strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

The manner of Christ’s return is of vital importance, for Satan will presume to counterfeit this great event. Revelation 1:7 states that Christ will come in the clouds of glory and every eye shall see Him. He will return in the same manner as He ascended....in the clouds (Acts 1:11). 1 Thessalonians 4:16 also tell us that He will descend with a shout, with the trump of God. Important point.....it is not secret, it is not silent, but seen and heard by all. The dead in Christ shall rise first and those who remain will meet Him “in the air”. Jesus has not left us ignorant of His coming. Only those who lack understanding of the signs of the times will be in danger of being swept away by the tide of evil that will run rampant over the earth in these final days.

Satan has prepared for this battle, his greatest deception, for centuries, and it will test the very foundation of man’s struggle with truth an error. Satan’s desire is, as it has always been since pride entered his heart, to ascend into heaven, to exalt his throne above the stars of God: to sit in the place of control, to ascend above the height of the clouds; to be like the most high (Isaiah 14:13,14) For a brief period, Satan will seem to win the battle, evil has gained the day, but alas he will be brought low. God at the very moment when all seems lost will ride in with victory in His hand. The banner of truth and righteousness waves amidst the battle scarred ruins of a planet in rebellion. All is not lost, faith has overcome the mightiest plans of Satan and his followers. II Thess 2:4,8 tells us that he who exalts himself above God, that is worshipped above God, who sits in the temple showing himself to be God, will be destroyed. Satan’s reign of terror will end, no more to terrorize the heart of man.

The majority of the world will be deceived by this impersonation, this vision of light professing to be God. What an overwhelming deception! Satan projects himself to the wondering world as the long-awaited Savior. Under the guise of love he will enforce his law and his will upon an unprepared generation, but God’s people will know with whom they deal. They recognize Satan and his evil scheme because they are fortified with the strength of the scriptures. The world has for so long been deceived by the lies of the master deceiver, that their minds are deadened to the pure truth of the gospel. But in this greatest hour God is faithful. He has prepared a people who will give a final call of salvation, and all those that will heed this last call will be saved from the wrath of God’s final judgments that must fall upon an unrepentant world before His return. The great controversy between truth and error will meet its ultimate end, and it is up to each individual to choose the banner under which he will stand.....the Seal of the Living God or the mark of the beast.

Satan’s anger knows no bounds in these fading hours of earths history, for he knows his time is short. He will do all in his power to defeat and destroy all those who defy him, but none who place their trust in the Lord need fear this terrible time of trouble. He has promised His protection to all who place their faith in His power to save. The faith that burns within the children of God will keep them during these final hours. They know that Satan is a defeated foe and has been since the cross. His supposed victory is only temporary. They know their redemption draws nigh, and soon this hour of trial and tribulation will end. The world will be swept away in a tide of confusion, hate and anger as God’s judgments fall without mercy on an unrepentant and unyielding generation. Their hate for the people of God who stand firm in the truth raises a cry for the death decree. As the word goes out for their destruction, they flee to places of refuge and safety, the weight of a sinful world about to crush out their lives. When the forces of Satan are about to strike and their victory secured, the mighty hand of God stays their attack. The earth begins to quake and the tide of events to turn. With lightning, thunder and a mighty shaking of the earth, the battle ceases. All eyes look to the eastern sky. A small cloud begins to appear growing bigger as it approaches the earth. The children of God lift their voice in joy unbounded for they know the “desire of the ages” has come. Victoriously they sing, Lo, This is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; This is the Lord; We have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation (Isaiah 25:). Our night of darkness is over. We have overcome! We have followed Christ and remained faithful to the end. As we meet our Lord in the air and leave this sinful earth behind, we will sing a new song. We are going home! At last, we are going home!

But for those who refused to hear the truth and to accept that final call of salvation, their anguish will be terrible. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. They have been deceived, they have believed a lie and now their doom is sealed. For lack of knowledge, understanding, and selfish pride, they now perish. God’s mercy no longer strives with a rebellious generation. Satan will be revealed for who he is and what he has done to deceive mankind. But it will be too late. The hour of probation has passed and the doom of a wicked generation is sealed. Oh what a pitiful sight, what a sad end for all those who could have accepted the pleas of a merciful God to turn from their wicked ways and accept His gift of salvation but would not. All was done that could be done, they did not believe the truth and now must live with the results of the delusion they longed for.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the message of this book. Revelation 22:7